Western 2012 RB Fabian Moreau picking up interest

After a breakout performance against Everglades on Thursday, Western running back Fabian Moreau thinks more offers are going to come his way, including, possibly, an offer from his dream school.

Moreau ran for 189 yards and a touchdown against the Gators, toting the ball on 34 occasions. Western coach Rashad West said that giving the ball to Moreau was not the original game plan for Thursday, but with a sophomore backup quarterback in the game, Moreau had to be the workhorse.

It was a job that Moreau was happy to take on — he has been wanting to prove that he is an between-the-tackles runner to college coaches around the country.

Moreau is rated as a two-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals.com, but those ratings were taken before Moreau grew an inch and gained nearly 20 pounds this past offseason.

"I got a lot stronger in the offseason," Moreau said. "I'm up to 182 now. I gained a lot of weight."

But that weight has not slowed Moreau down. He's been clocked as fast as 4.4, and every nano-second of that speed has been on display this season. In three games, Moreau has rushed for 327 yards, averaging seven yards per carry.

Moreau spent the offseason strengthening his legs, and his newfound ability to break away from tackles and flee into the open field has given even the must mundane runs a chance to be spectacular.

"I have a lot to prove," Moreau said. "I don't want to be known as the guy who can't run between the tackles. I like the spread, but I want to show that I can be a running back in any style."

Western runs a true spread offense, with Moreau only a yard, at best, behind the quarterback at the snap. It's a true college look that is rare to see in the high school ranks, even with the newfound prevalence of the spread.

Moreau said that he models his game after another small running back that works in the spread — LaMichael James of Oregon.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that Oregon is Moreau's dream school. And there is some interest from the Ducks, too. The school contacted Moreau this month, looking for more game film and information. It's hardly an offer, but it's a start.

For now, Kansas State, Western Michigan and Florida International have extended offers to the running back, making them the front-runners to land his services.

Boston College and Indiana are expected to send offers Moreau's way in the next few weeks, according to both Moreau and West. Moreau has family in Boston and said that he is interested in leaving Florida to play his college football.

But Moreau leaving the state is not a guarantee. He said he was excited to see FIU do so well this season. Moreau will visit the Panthers first, and he is expected to make a decision after the season.